Standoff Suspects Let Go

Six suspects arrested during a lengthy standoff with police at a Chatsworth sushi restaurant were released from jail Thursday after authorities said there was insufficient evidence to charge them.

The six, whose names were not released, were arrested Monday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. At the time, police said they were members of the Viet Ching gang who had forced their way into a Van Nuys home and threatened a man who could identify gang members who had committed a robbery.

After leaving the Van Nuys home, they were spotted by police and followed to a sushi restaurant on Devonshire Street, police said. The restaurant was surrounded by police and ordered evacuated. Four of the suspects surrendered. The other two were captured after police Special Weapons and Tactics team members shot tear gas into the restaurant.

On Thursday, police said they released the six because there was not enough evidence for charges related to the standoff or to the alleged threat.